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What was your experience Pivoting Into Accounting?

My name is Taylor, I’m 29, and I am potentially doing a career pivot into accounting. I’m not very happy in my current job and I plan to go back to school in the Fall. If you had a similar experience of pivoting to accounting, what was your first position? Were you able to transition smoothly into your new position? Sidenote, what are some Excel tables or tools you can list that would help in Accounting, if you’re willing to share.
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Carla’s Answer

Hi Taylor! I also pivoted to accounting when I was in my late 20's. I took an internship with a local public accounting firm where I gained exposure to both tax and audit. I was lucky in that the partners at the firm made themselves very available to discuss with me what a career in public accounting looks like longer term so that I could make an educated decision to invest in online accounting and business classes to qualify to sit the CPA exam. My internship turned into a full time staff role and while I've since left that firm to pursue other opportunities in public accounting, I consider myself lucky that I was able to get such valuable insight into what a career in public accounting entails in both tax and audit, as well as what other career opportunities might be available to me after getting my CPA and proving myself in public.

I highly recommend investing time in learning about whatever career path you're considering pursuing before going back to school to make sure that your schooling is helping you work toward your goals. I also would emphasize the importance of having a growth mindset, being curious, and being a self-starter. Those are things that can't be taught or are really difficult to teach, but are foundational to success, particularly if you go the public accounting route. Being interested in your field is also crucial. It probably sounds obvious, but make sure that you really understand what you're working toward in your career before you invest time and money into school.

From an excel standpoint, I learned everything I know about excel on the job by identifying people who really seemed to know what they were doing and asking them to show me functions and formulas that they used regularly. I also find that googling "how to do xyz in excel" can often get you to the right answer.

Happy to answer any other specific questions you may have.

Best of luck! A career change in your late 20s can be daunting, but if you're transitioning into something that you're excited about and interested in, it can also be really energizing!
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Cheryl’s Answer

You'll find that there are a variety of accounting roles. Entry is fairly simple especially if you are planning to attend school to enhance your knowledge in the profession. The variety was a plus for me. I'm always eager to learn, even to this day, and I've never felt bored. I did of course transition from a non-accounting role into a bookkeeping job. I'd say to be successful in any career pivot situation, as always, full disclosure of your experience and education are best. Most employers are happy to help you get started with training, coaches etc. I would suggest power pivot and exploring other excel add ins. They help to expedite and polish your excel deliverables as well as ease the user's experience. Best of luck with your new educational and career goals!
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Stephanie’s Answer

When looking for roles for my team the specific degree or education levels are less important to me as the things you can't teach - that growth mindset, constant learner, someone who digs in and asks the right questions, a person who can think outside the box and voice their thoughts. Speaking of pivoting. . . pivot tables are one of your strongest tools in accounting. I'm a big fan of xlookup, but still think that the vlookup with a match function or even a sumifs statement can be more powerful in situations where you have massive sheets with lookups. Learn how to drag formulas that are dynamic across multiple rows and columns with proper lookup references will take you a long way. Imbedded IF statements can also be really valuable.

Don't be afraid to branch out and try something new. Life is too short to stay in a career you aren't happy with. Good Luck!
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